Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Joanna Marie Akkus

Boca Raton,FL

Summary

Results-oriented Director of Legal Services specializing in corporate governance, compliance, and SEC filings. Demonstrates expertise in orchestrating board meetings and upholding meticulous legal documentation, guaranteeing adherence to regulatory standards.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director, Legal Services

The GEO Group, Inc.
Boca Raton, Florida
07.2017 - Current
  • Actively participate in professional development opportunities to stay informed on industry trends and best practices for corporate governance.
  • Organize the delivery of compensation services, such as executive compensation plans, base salary analysis, corporate governance, board compensation, and market benchmarking, from Pay Governance and ISS Corporate Solutions.
  • Schedule and coordinate all committee and board meetings, including sending out meeting invitations and reminders to attendees.
  • Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, minutes, and other necessary materials to attendees in a timely manner using Diligent Boardbooks.
  • Support corporate governance initiatives by drafting and maintaining up-to-date records on board meetings, minutes, unanimous written consents, and resolutions.
  • Maintain all board actions, including committee list composition, welcome packets, and processing of quarterly board payments.
  • Maintain and update corporate records, including bylaws, articles of incorporation, and other legal documents, with coordinating outside counsel.
  • Assist in preparing the annual proxy and work with Broadridge on holding the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Example: Brokers Search, Records Date, filing deadlines, etc.
  • Drafting and filing of SEC Form 3, Form 4, and Form 5. Coordinating the 8-K and 10-K filings with outside counsel.
  • Main point of contact to make submissions and updates to the NYSE.
  • The main point of contact to make payments, authorizations, and reports to DTCC.
  • Use of Legal Tracker (formerly known as Serengeti) to maintain all legal matter documents, spending, budgets, etc.
  • Review and set the legal department budget, monitor spending, and implement cost-saving measures.
  • Work with outside counsel on having all political contributions and PAC requests reviewed, and all necessary filings completed. Process checks, and maintain check registers.
  • Work with outside counsel on lobbyist activities and necessary filings.
  • Entity management updating officers and directors/managers and maintain company records using Computershare/GEMS.
  • Processing of all legal settlement checks, and all legal fee invoices.
  • Issue company stock, vestings, etc. Using Fidelity Stock Services. Coordinate DWACs with the transfer agent, Computershare.

Corporate Secretary

Centerra Group, LLC
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
03.2015 - 07.2017
  • Organized board meeting agendas and minutes for corporate governance.
  • Managed communication between executives and board members for effective collaboration.
  • Facilitated compliance with corporate regulations and policies across the organization.
  • Drafted all correspondence, memoranda, and presentations.
  • Handled all employment verification requests, salary changes, subpoena document requests, etc.
  • Reconciled human resource benefit invoices bi-weekly and monthly. Required report pulling to verify covered participants.
  • Managed and maintained policies and procedures, corporate structure, and ownership charts.
  • Created legal matters in the Serengeti, tracked legal invoice approvals, and payments.
  • Tracked all matter settlements, including the outcome and settlement amount.
  • Company's point of contact for records. Trained sites in preparing documents for Iron Mountain scanning and storage.
  • Received all Open-line hotline voicemails and emails from employees. Assigned each case a number and forwarded it to the Regional Director for investigation. Followed up to ensure each matter had a resolution.

Quality Improvement Coordinator

MDVIP, Inc.
Boca Raton, Florida
05.2008 - 02.2015
  • Credentialed all incoming physicians on their malpractice insurance coverage, malpractice insurance claims, licenses, CDS (where applicable), and DEA certificates.
  • Researched physician malpractice lawsuits.
  • Ensured the quality of services delivered by physicians by performing periodic chart reviews, and developed measures to increase levels of compliance with the business model.
  • Analyzed and reported areas of concern with regard to physician quality standards.
  • Performed an analysis of compliance trends over time and delivered recommendations to management.
  • Led efforts to provide HIPAA training for physicians and office staff.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Florida International University
Miami, FL
08-2016

Skills

  • Corporate governance and compliance
  • SEC and regulatory filings
  • Document management
  • Board administration and support
  • Board governance
  • Executive communication
  • Budget management
  • Executive compensation

Certification

Notary Public Commission

State of Florida

Expiration date: June 05, 2028

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director, Legal Services

The GEO Group, Inc.
07.2017 - Current

Corporate Secretary

Centerra Group, LLC
03.2015 - 07.2017

Quality Improvement Coordinator

MDVIP, Inc.
05.2008 - 02.2015

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Florida International University

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